Ok. I made it to Belfast and the Soliton Conference/Session thing starts tomorrow. I am staying with Pete Rollins tonight in his cosy flat in a dodgy part of Belfast. Pete is part of the Ikon community in Belfast – an Irish-style emerging church – and the author of How (Not) to Speak of God.
Pete is back from a book-pimping tour of USA and Australia which went well. His book, despite its appearance of OUTRIGHT HERESY, is actually a solid thought provoking read and I have yet to find any critics willing to stand up and take a few good shots. It really is a fantastic little book that draws from a lot of postmodern thinking from the continent and USA and, unlike other mere syntheses of usual suspects found in Look-What-Books-I-Have-Read kind of treatments, Pete offers some wildly original implications and uphill intellectual adventures for those who like to give their mind a quick run around the block. Sorry – it wasn’t meant to be a book review – I reviewed this book ages ago right here.
But the fact that I am staying at Pete’s place tonight probably inspires you ask the question . . “What does Pete’s library look like?”
Ahhh . . I thought you would ask that. I myself was curious. Here are the thumnails of the books in Pete’s study, at least the ones Pete let me show you. Click them and WEEP!
Pete and I share a mutual respect for Slavoj Zizek from Slovenia, a philosopher that i have been reading since my Zizek-fest in 2002. I thought “The Fragile Absolute was his best book. Anyway, the number of friends who like discuss all things Zizek, in my small circle, is very few and I am always glad to catch up with Pete.
Technorati Tags: pete rollins
Hey Andrew..
Can you ask Peter if he recieved the e-mail that I sent him about my friend from afghanistan that will be in Belfast soon?
btw – I love the new banner – oh those cliffs of mohr.. please tell me that you stoped in Doolin while you were there…
i have to say, it all looks a bit more organized than i’d expect from pete! 🙂 looking forward to catching up with you all…
impressive library…and the book is on my list to read. One can only aspire to such a stockpile of literature for the formation of minds. Budgetary constraints have tamed my library dreams….but as long as one is schooling, one can justify the odd book or ten to the wife. This i rely on.
I look forward to the read, enjoy Belfast; it’s a beautiful place, especially the shankhill…
Always nice to see Van Til on a bookshelf
How sad a person are you when you start drewling over the titles in someone elses library on a photo… Seriously, this is dangerously close to porn for me.
these are the most well kept bookshelves I have ever seen….mine look like a wreck
How (not) to speak of God is a great book! I haven’t found any critics either – it’s hard to criticize something that not only are well-thought and well-written but also put into practice in an authentic Jesus-seeking fellowship. Thanks Pete for an inspiring and challenging book…
Whoah…I saw de Chardin in there. Very nice!
Shane and Alli Magee from Ireland came through our community this winter and he spoke to our congregation. Over coffee the next day we shared ideas and books that have influenced us. He strongly recommended Pete’s book, which I’ve already devoured, as well as Zizek. What I find the coolest is the connection that can develop around the world through similar vision.
I’d hesitate to call myself a critic, as I’m someone far less educated than Mr. Rollins and I may be missing the point in some of what he’s writing – but I’ve been reading through “How (Not) to Speak of God” and trying to interact with it in a fair and semi-critical way. By “critical” I mean “critical thinking” and not “critical you’re stupid and I don’t like you.”
If you’re so inclined, I’d be interested in getting some feedback on my feedback regarding the book. I’m sort of blogging through the book, and I’ve done about four posts so far. I really would like to get some more feedback and honest conversation. I’m trying to not simply criticize but honestly interact.
You can see the posts so far here:
http://jperdue.blogspot.com/2006/12/how-not-to-speak-of-god-pt-1.html
http://jperdue.blogspot.com/2007/01/how-not-to-speak-of-god-pt-2.html
http://jperdue.blogspot.com/2007/01/how-not-to-speak-of-god-pt-3.html
http://jperdue.blogspot.com/2007/01/how-not-to-speak-of-god-pt-4.html
I don’t see ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ there.
I thought the first half of the book was quite engaging. The second half seemed largely unconnected with the first and tended toward the bizarre–“the body of Christ is queer”? Or has Rollins concluded that communication between God and humanity is so compromised that nothing is bizarre?
Did I see Plato in there? Heavey
heard a rumour that some more embarrassing books were removed from view?!!!
the rumors are true. pete approved two out of three walls of books in my photos. one wall did not pass inspection but i am not sure why these books would be embarrassing to pete.
they might be his fundamentalist books or his charasmatic books . .. or maybe one of yours???
Just finished a blog series on the Rollins book as well. great book.
http://www.pauldelsignore.com/?p=209
vapor